Aug 15, 2026 – 5.00amThe country’s largest home builder says rising interest rates and uncertainty are outweighing Labor’s changes aimed at encouraging housing construction, as official data shows new home loans written for first home buyers and owner-occupiers fell for the second straight quarter.Metricon chief executive Brad Duggan said the company’s sales had decreased 40 per cent in some markets last month when compared with the first half of the year, as changes introduced by the Albanese government and higher rates kept property buyers waiting for more certainty.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles